§ Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that there is a shortage in the supply of liver for patients 988W suffering from pernicious anaemia; that the price has seriously increased; and whether he will ration supplies, and control prices, giving first preference to those requiring liver for medical reasons?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am aware of the recent shortage of supplies of liver. This was a consequence of the considerable reduction in the slaughtering of livestock during the severe weather conditions of the past few weeks. Supplies of imported liver were and are normal, and with the increase in slaughtering, supplies of home-produced liver are also approaching more normal levels. As regards the second part of the Question the maximum retail prices at present current for liver over the country as a whole are not appreciably above the prices ruling before the outbreak of war. As regards the third part of the Question, hospitals and manufacturers of pharmaceutical products are receiving priority of allocation of liver where they make their requirements known; prices for liver are of course already controlled.